Hitching device



(No Model- I v l G. HAMBLIN. l

HIICIEHNGpEVIGBI u No. 530,992. 9 Patented 990919, 1994.

vNITE-13- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERTV G. l-IAMBLIN, OF ASHLAND, WISCONSIN, -ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOO.` H. WALLOW, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

HITQHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Ifetters Patent No. 530,992, dated December 18,1894.

i Appiimion nea am@ 16,1394. serai No. 497,057. (No model.)

. .To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT G. HAMBLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Ashland and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Hitching Device, of which the following,r is a specication.

My invention relates to improvements in bitching-devices, and to that particular class thereof commonly termed weights and employed in connection with bitching-straps which terlninate in snap-hooks for engaging with the bit-rings of bridles. Y

The objects of my invention are to produceK a weight designed to be carried aboutin the vehicle and so constructed as to inclose the bitching-strap in a compact manner within the same, whereby it will-not lie loose in the vehicle or become entangled with the feet of the occupant, and which will automatically fold or pack itself within the weight when released and will adjust itself to the positionof the horse with reference to a weight.

Other objects and advantages of the invention willV appear in the following description, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.-

Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hitching-deviceembodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical transverse sectional views taken at right angles to each other, the hitch-strap casing in Fig; 2 being shown elevated to its vertical position.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the practice of my invention I employ a weight 1 of suitable size and preferably of truncated cone-shape, the said weight being provided upon its upper or truncated end with a cavity or chamber 2, which is circular. The bottom of this cavity is provided with an opening 3 whose under side is countersunk, as shown.

The bottom of the cavity is provided with an annular recess 4, and seated loosely for rotation therein is a disk 5 having a central opening 6 through which is passed the threaded stem 7 formed on the under side of a U-shaped yoke-frame 8. The yoke frame is located within the cavity of the weight,

and is protected from injury bythe sides of the weight. The lower end'of the stem has applied thereto a nut 9, which rests within the countersink at the lower end of the perforation in the bottom of the cavity or chamber. The central opening 6 of the disk 5 is rectangular and the stem 7 is provided with a rectangular upper portion, which fits in the polygonal opening 6 of the disk. g

The upper ends or terminals of the yokeframe are provided at their inner sides with trunnions or pins 10, and the same en gage sockets or perforations 11 formed in a case 12. The case 12 may be swung to a horizontal position and be wholly within the cavity 2, or it may be swung to a vertical position, vit being loosely mounted as shown.

The case 12 is provided with a transverse axle 13 upon which a spring-drum 14 is mounted, and secured to the drum is one end of a bitching-strap 15, the leading end thereof being passed through an opening 16 formed in the periphery of the case and having secured thereto a suitable snap-hook 17 de` signed to engage with the bit-ring of a bridle. By the action of the spring-drum the hitching-strap when not otherwise influenced is drawn within the casing and wound upon the drum, but is free to be withdrawn therefrom for the purpose of engaging its snap-hook with the bit-ring of a bridle when desired.

The coiled spring has its inner end attached to the shaft. Its outer end is secured to the drum, and the bitching strap for compactness is coiled around the drum and located in the same plane as the-coiled spring.

It will be seen that when the strap'is released or not in use it immediately winds within the casing upon the dru'm,so that merely the snaphook extends from the opening in the casing. When it is desired to use the bit it is simplynecessary to` place the same upon the sidewalk or roadway and withdraw the strap against the tension of the spring of the drum and engage the snap-hook thereof with the bitring. Whatever may be the position of the horse with relation to the weight the universal movement accorded the casing by reason of its swiveling in the yoke vand the latter swiveling in the weight will present the open- IOC) ing in the casing in proper alignment with the strap, and hence immediately upon a release of the latter from the bit-ring it will automatically wind within the casing.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings itwill be seen that I have provided a very simple construction of bitching-device of the portable kind, in that it may be readily transported to a vehicle or removed therefrom when it is desired to use the same, and which when not in use will be compact and not in danger of becoming entangled with the feet of the occupant of the vehicle or any articles that may be therein and which will automatically adjust itself to the position of the horse to Whose bit it is attached.

It is obvious that I may omit the weight, or rather form the same so light as not to serve as a weight, but more as a base and attach the same to a bitching-post or other object, depending upon the latter to lendv proper security. I prefer, however, to employ the weight and have so shown and described it as evidence of my preference.

Having described my invention, what I claim isl. The combination of a weight hollowed out at its upper side to form a cavity, the U- shaped yoke arranged Within the cavity of the weight and swiveled to the bottom thereof, and a casing having a spring actuated drum and adapted to receive a bitching strap and swiveled between the sides of the yoke, whereby it is capable of swinging vertically and horizontally to prevent a bitching strap from becoming tangled, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a truncated coneshaped weight hollowed ont at its upper side to form a cavity and provided at the bottom thereof with a recess, a rotary disk seated in the recess, a U-shaped yoke arranged within the cavity of the weight and having a stem secured to the disk and swiveled to the bottom of the weight, a nut arranged on the lower end of the stem and countersnnk in the bottom of the Weight, and a casing provided with a spring actuated drum and adapted to receive a bitching strap and journaled between the sides of the yoke and capable of swinging vertically and horizontally, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT G. IIAMBLIN.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. BURCH, PETER JOHNSON. 

